YTF Fredericton receives Federal Funding!

Feds fund program to help young adults learn workforce skills

Alyshea Turner wants to be a red seal chef. But first she will have to learn workplace skills that will help her succeed on the path to her dream job in a fine restaurant kitchen.

"I have learned a lot more skills like my self-confidence, what is appropriate in a work area and what is not and how to use your talent to be assertive and not be assertive." said the 22 year old Fredericton woman on Friday.

Turner is one of 30 young adults with disabilities in the capital region who have been brushing up on their workplace skills through a program offered by the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work.

"The teachers here hare very co-operative and they work to our level," said Turner.

"I believe that everyone has learned fa lot from this course and I believe everyone is going to have a great future."

She said the course has really helped her improve her self-confidence.

"Coming into this course a lot of people have low self-esteem and they have so much potential and they don't see it," said Turner.

"But going through this course they are starting to see it and have the confidence they need to obtain the future they want."

Keith Ashfield, Conservative Fredericton MP and Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, was at the CCRW office on Northumberland Street Friday to announce a $128,000 grant from the federal Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities.

The funds will be used to pay for the program that is helping Turner and others until July.

"Our government's top priority is jobs and the economy, Ashfield.

"People with disabilities and youth have a particularly difficult time finding good jobs. Through program such as this, we are helping Canadians develop the skills they need so they can overcome barriers and maximize their potential."

Norma Ricker, director of the eastern regional development with the CCRW, said the program for Turner and her classmates wouldn't be possible without the federal funding.

"The program is actually divided into four phases," she said.

"It has a life-work-skills component, and extensive employment strategy component where people learn to become good employees...Then they have an extensive work placement, whereby they will go into the workplace and learn skills...and then they have a supported employment."

The program supports its participants as they enter the workforce and stays with them once they are working, said Ricker.

"It is our goal and our job as people who work with people with disabilities to put abilities first always," she said.

"We get people ready for work."

The program has an 83 per cent success rate for finding employment for its participants, said Ricker.

The CCRW has existed in Canad 30 years and in Fredericton since 2005, she said.

But there is a waiting list in the capital for the program, she said.

"We need more funding," said Ricker.

"We always have a waiting list."

Building Confidence on the Job

Inclusion program honours partners helping people with disabilities find work

Printed with permission from The TelegramPublished November 3, 2011By: Andrew Robinson

Edmund Power walked up to the podium holding a sheet of paper, followed close behind by his father, Jim. Once there, he took a few moments to get himself prepared and then began to deliver his short but well-received speech.

"Hi, my name is Edmund Power," he said. "I am a personal warehouse demonstrator at Costco."

"She is a fantastic boss," he said with a grin, concluding his speech before an audience of almost 100 guests in attendance for the PWIP's seventh annual Business Luncheon at the Capital Hotel on Wednesday.

Jim Powers spoke after his son's quick trip to the podium to offer evidence of how the program helped his son.

"When I look back to a little boy in school who'd hide underneath a desk, and then look and see him today walk out with his lunch proudly going to work, that's something."

After first meeting with PWIP staff, Edmund Power was enrolled into Youth the Future, a CCRW project focused on the development of pre-employment skills. It is offered in Newfoundland and Labrador through Keyin College.

Edmund learned how to write a resume and handle a job interview, but his father said the most important thing Edmund Power gained from the experience was self-confidence.

"Really, I have never seen anybody that gave him so much confidence, and that made all the difference."

The Goulds native sent resumes out to dozens of businesses and managed to get several interviews. Before each one, Jim Power said his son sat down with PWIP employment outreach specialist Michelle Clarke to go over what might happen int he interview.

Since finding his job at Costco, Edmund Power has had nothing but good things to say about his work experience, according to his father.

"I really have the impression that this a family. He knows everyone on a first name basis," Power said.

Employment co-ordinator Lori LeDrew said the awards luncheon lets the group honour businesses and organizations who have supported PWIP by helping its clients find meaningful employment.

It handles people from a variety of backgrounds, including those with learning disabilities, mental health issues, physical disabilities and sensory disabilities, and it serves the St. John's metro area.

"Our employers have been very supportive and accommodating for our clients," LeDrew said. "Education for employers is a very important piece of that."

This year, the program received a three-year funding commitment from the federal government after operating on a year to year basis since its founding in 2003.

Testimonials from CCRW program graduates

New Brunswick Employment Services- Moncton, NB

For me, CCRW means peace of mind. It is an excellent program that helps people with disabilities access all available programs and funding; to help ensure their success.

When I had my Psyco-Educational assessment done, and found out that I had a learning disability, I was both relieved and confused about what this would mean for me in the future and how it affected my past. Through CCRW I was able to get the support in service and technology specific to what I needed to learn to the best of my ability.

My employment counsellor was there with me every step of the way. She stayed on top of things so that I could focus on learning. I was able to start my classes on the right foot knowing that I was not alone and that I had access to all available resource.

Thanks to CCRW, I am confident that my scholastic experience will be a positive one.

Elfi Vinagre - Workplace Essential Skills Partnership (WESP) Graduate

Referred by Great West Life Insurance, Elfi Vinagre arrived at the WESP program with a goal of coupling her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and her previous experience as an executive and legal assistant to forge a new career in the non-profit sector. Immediately upon completion of the WESP program, Elfi secured a new position as a Programs Administrator helping at-risk individuals.

Elfi credits the cohesive WESP workshop for helping her to change careers and acheive success. Says Elfi, "my experience with WESP has taught me how to be confident in promoting myself, and has given me the right tools to go out into the working world."

Congratulations Elfi from the entire team at WESP! You have shown, once again, "The WESP Way Works".

STP®is a Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) trademarked employment model.

It is designed to assist employers in developing training programs that prepare qualified job seekers with disabilities for employment, allowing persons with disabilities to become fully trained for real opportunities in the workforce. It is an opportunity for employers to gain expert assistance in recruiting, hiring, and training skilled employees with disabilities, while addressing barriers to employment.

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